One record at a time: 166. Heaven 17 - Teddy Bear, Duke and Psycho

I'll be clear and say that I only own this album on vinyl because it was included in the "Play to Win" box set. This album comes from a time when Heaven 17 had completely lost their way and were about to be dropped by Virgin Records.

The terrible title (which reflects the band member's nicknames) matches the disappointing photography and the lacklustre music. The songs are yet another attempt to amalgamate R&B and Soul with pop music but emerge as bland 'composition by numbers'. 

The first three tracks, "Big Square People", "Don't Stop for No One" and "Snake and Two People" are well produced and have some pleasing melodies. 

The standout track is undoubtedly "Train of Love in Motion" which chugs along nicely. Personally I'm not a fan of the other single released from the album "The Ballad of Go Go Brown" as the lyrics are a little contrite and the idea of harmonica on a Heaven 17 track is an anathema to me. The other tracks are unremarkable and devoid of any melodic elements.

To me, this album represents rock bottom for Heaven 17. Out of ideas and having betrayed their roots, the band went on hiatus following this effort. It took eight years for the band to recover from this and release another album but you could argue they were never the same again. 2/5